CNN’s article

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) — A Thai court on Wednesday sentenced a political activist to 10 years in prison for insulting the country’s revered king, a decision that drew criticism from human rights groups and the European Union.

The Criminal Court in Bangkok ruled that Somyot Pruksakasemsuk had breached Thailand’s strict lese majeste laws when a magazine he edited, Voice of Thaksin, published two satirical articles found to be critical of the monarchy.

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Somyot, who arrived in court barefoot with shackles around his ankles, plans to appeal, according to his lawyer, Karom Polpornklang.

“The verdict seriously undermines the right to freedom of expression and press freedom,” The European Union said in a statement. “At the same time, it affects Thailand’s image as a free and democratic society.”

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Thai laws allow courts to hand down lengthy prison terms to people convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening the royal family.

Before his detention began in April 2011, Somyot had campaigned to change the lese majeste law. And he submitted a petition to the Thai Constitutional Court while he was in jail, arguing the law goes against basic human rights and the punishment it permits is not proportionate.

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Authorities have held him in jail since his arrest, denying repeated bail requests.

“The court’s ruling appears to be more about Somyot’s strong support for amending the lese majeste law than about any harm incurred by the monarchy,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

Somyot also received a further one-year sentence Wednesday for a previous suspended sentence for defamation, bringing his total prison term to 11 years.

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More than 20 diplomats, many of them European, attended the hearing, along with about 20 of Somyot’s supporters, at whom he smiled as he left the courtroom.

Somyot’s magazine published the controversial articles in 2010, during severe political unrest in Bangkok. He was a member of the Red Shirts, a group that held anti-government protests and clashed with Thai security forces.

The Red Shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006.

It is not possible to report details of the content of the articles in question since they have been deemed to violate Thai law.

The country abolished absolute monarchy in the 1930s, and the king wields little political power. Still, the king — formally crowned on May 5, 1950 — is a deeply respected figure in Thailand and enjoys widespread popularity.

Human Rights Watch says there was a sharp increase in the number of lese majeste cases brought to trial in Thailand between January 2006 and May 2011.

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Prosecutions have since decreased under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister who took office in 2011.

But authorities “continue to use draconian statutes in the Penal Code and the Computer Crime Act to restrict freedom of expression, including on the Internet,” Human Rights Watch said.

Last year, a web editor received a 20,000 baht (US $628) fine and an eight-month suspended sentence for not deleting posts deemed critical of the monarchy quickly enough.

Release Joop and Tai!

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Singtor

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Sunee

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Fabian, Zimbabwe

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested: please help Thailand" Ramirez

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested" Apolinaire, Geneva

"Dear Joop and Tai. I am watching the situation in Thailand closely and am very concerned for your safety. I know you are strong, and hope you you will be brave and strong during this period. I will write a letter to the Thai Embassy here in Wellington sharing my concern. Stay strong." Edward, Wellington

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Pradit

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Kijin

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Chotipanyo

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Kitahata, Japan

"I hope they will be released very soon, as well as Somyot." Pierre-Marc

"free somyot and his family!" Alan

"Please release them immediately." Robert, New Zealand

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." David, New Zealand

"You must treat them humanely and with respect and release them!" Lulu, London

"Hi beautiful Joop and Tai, All around earth we love you a lot, like Somyot. You're good, really good and so right. The best for you all. You shine in the light with wonderful blue sky and sun." Alina, Chris, Max, France

"What is the charge against them? There is no charge! Or the 'charge' is the same as the charge against all Thais ... opposing the treasonous coup d'etat of Prayuth & Co. To be a dictator you need a nation of stenographers ... and that ain't Thailand, as has become increasingly apparent since the destruction of yet another popularly elected government and the destruction of its own constitution by Royal Thai Army Coup d'Etat Number 19. Free Tai! Free Joop! Free Somyot! Free all political prisoners! Free Thailand from the hands of the Royal Thai Army!" John, UK
"Dear Joop and Tai, my thoughts are with you at this very troubling time. I have heard of your arrests and this concerns me greatly as, I know, it concerns many people internationally and organizations including Amnesty International. I can only hope that you are being treated humanely and will be released soon." Charlotte, LA

"You are wrong to arrest these people. They should be released immediately. Meanwhile, I expect to see clear evidence that Somyot, Joop and Tai's human rights are being respected." Rosemary, Peru

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested. : I am shocked and appalled to see innocent people being treated like this. Abducting the family members of peaceful activists is behaviour associated with the most evil regimes that have existed. This is how the Nazis behaved, this is how Pol Pot behaved, this how Gaddafi behaved. This is how the Junta in Myanmar/Burma behaves. Is Thailand really going to become another Burma? I really hope the Thai military stops behaving in the this disgusting and illegal way, and returns to path of democracy and respect for human rights very soon. I extend my sincerest best wishes to Somyot’s family and hope they are released very soon and unharmed." Paul, UK

"Release Joop and Tai. Release all those who are imprisoned. Release Somyot and all political prisoners" Lee, Thailand

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Jaap, Netherlands